Verbal Dexterity looks smart on debut

Verbal Dexterity got his career off to a tremendous start with a highly impressive debut win in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden at the Curragh.

The Vocalised colt was easy to back in the market and sent off an 8/1 chance but was prominent throughout in this seven-furlong event.

Kevin Manning ’s mount stayed on really strongly in the testing conditions (officially soft, heavy in places, on the straight course) and drew right away inside the final furlong.

There was a huge gap of nine and a half lengths back to Sebastiano Ricci at the line, with the well-backed Caffe Macchiato (16/1 in the morning and sent off at just 5/1) a further length and a half away in third.

Winning trainer Jim Bolger is on his way to the Wexford v Kilkenny hurling game, and was represented by his daughter Una Manning who said, “We didn’t think he would handle that ground and were worried about it. He’s a nice horse with a big future.”

Paddy Power introduced Verbal Dexterity at 33/1 for next year’s 2000 Guineas.